Initiatives
Mātru Devo Bhava: View your mother as
God. Show her love, care, and gratitude. She
plays a vital role in your life.
When we say Mother, we immediately
connect to our physical mother and the
universal divine mother-Parāśakti. Beyond
them, 2 other aspects which are connected
to the word “Mother” are Veda Mātā & “Gau
Mātā. There is an immediate need to protect
and preserve these 2 mother forms for
universal peace & wellbeing.
“Aathmaartham is committed to the cause of Veda Saṃrakṣaṇaṃ & Gau Saṃrakṣaṇaṃ”
Our Indic scriptures have often referred to Gau Mātā in the
form of Kāmadhenu. In the cow, resides all the 33 crore
Devatā, She is a walking temple by herself and all the Puṇya
Tīrtham (Sacred rivers) reside in her. Referring to Excerpts
from Deivathin Kural (Volume 3 & 7)… “Gau Saṃrakṣaṇaṃ -
Parama Dharmam, Parama Puṇyam”
Everything in Gau Mātā is considered auspicious. Not only
milk, she also is the source for curd, ghee, buttermilk, dried
cow dung cakes that is used for Homa/Yajña. We get
Bhasma (Vibūti) from dried cow dung cakes.
The Gau Mūtra (Urine) and Gaumaya (Cow Dung) are
considered auspicious and is part of Panca Gavya. Panca
Gavya which is made of five cow products (Milk, Curd, Ghee,
Cow Dung, and Cow Urine) has immense scientific and
purifying capabilities. No Homa/ Yajña can happen in this
world without Gau Mātā or her products. Cows when they
cease to provide milk, still provide ingredients for organic
manure. Anuṣṭāna (practices) & Japams done in Gau Shala
(where Cow resides) provides multi-fold benefits than done
at home.
What is very crucial for us to realize is that, enough and
more care is given to milking cows normally. However, it is
the non-milking cows which are denied care and shelter by
people either deserting them or sending them to slaughter
houses for financial gains in return.
According to scriptures, killing Gau Mātā is equivalent to
killing our mother amounting to gravest of all sins with no
atonement. Even a small harm caused to Gau Mātā is a
great sin. The well-being of Cows will ensure prosperity for
mankind. If we protect them, peace will prevail in this world.
Hence, Aathmaartham is committed to propagate & support Gau Saṃrakṣaṇaṃ through Gau Śālās providing shelter and protection to Gau-Mātā (particularly non-milking cows).
धर्मो रक्षति रक्षित: ||
Veda are Quintessential to Sanātana Dharma and universal
existence. Veda guide us to attain the highest worldly knowledge
and spiritual wisdom.
As cited by Kānchi Paramācārya in one of his talks on Hindu Dharma,
“If you ask me why the Vedic dharma must be perpetuated, the answer is that the sound of Veda mantra and the conduct of Vedic rites like sacrifices will bring universal material and spiritual well-being. Further, if people around the world are to know that the Vedic religion was once a universal religion and, if unity and peace are to be achieved on the basis of such awareness, there must be a class of people in our country who will devote themselves solely to Vedic learning. I maintain that fostering the Vedic dharma is of utmost importance because it will bring universal prosperity and inward tranquility.”
Traditionally, Pātaśālās impart vedic education by providing free
shelter, food, clothing and education to the children. They are run
by means of donations and contributions from the society. Today,
many Veda Pātaśālās are gasping for breath to sustain due to
financial constraints. As a result, they are also not able to attract
both teachers and students. Closure of such Pātaśālās would
mean decline of Vedic education resulting in diminishing Vedic
practices (samskāras) thus impacting universal well-being. They
are in dire need of monetary assistance & physical support to
sustain and grow.
Aathmaartham is committed to perpetuate and preserve Vedic education by supporting Veda Pātaśālās.